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Nearly 250,000 drivers have multiple speeding convictions

Data obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) following a freedom of information request by the Press Association revealed that 244,967 British drivers have been caught speeding at least twice in the past four years.

Over the same period, almost 40 drivers have been caught breaking the limit at least 10 times and one driver was clocked driving too fast on 25 occasions.

The data relates to SP30 endorsements for 'exceeding the statutory speed limit on a public road' -- one of the most common motoring offences in the UK. It normally results in a driver being given three penalty points, and the endorsement must stay on their driving licence for four years.

Motorists are usually given a driving ban if they are caught speeding four times within three years. However, some are able to keep their licence by convincing a court that disqualification would cause exceptional hardship. Others accumulate SP30 endorsements in double figures by ignoring their disqualification or re-offending after serving a ban.

Former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman, who was appointed Greater Manchester's cycling and walking commissioner in July 2017, claimed that allowing repeat offenders to keep their licence is "plain wrong".

"The points system is the safety buffer and if three chances isn't enough to get the message across, then you really shouldn't be driving," he said.

Government data shows that 220 people were killed and 1,493 were seriously injured in 2017 in crashes in which a driver breaking the speed limit was a contributory factor.

Calling for an end to the 'exceptional circumstances' loophole, he told the Press Association: "These dangerous, repeat offenders have had plenty of opportunity to change their driving behaviour, yet continue to show complete disregard for other people's lives and the law."